The number of Chinese vessels that operated in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week has been significantly reduced, according to the latest monitoring of the Philippine Navy (PN).
From June 25 to July 1, there were 95 Chinese vessels in the WPS and in features located within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), data from the PN's monitoring showed.
This was lower than the 129 Chinese vessels recorded from June 18 to 24.
The biggest deployment was seen in Pag-asa (Thitu) Island as Beijing sent 22 vessels there: a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship, a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship, and 20 Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs).
Meanwhile, there were 20 Chinese vessels apiece in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Julian Felipe (Whitsun) Reef.
Other features with the presence of Chinese vessels include Bajo de Masinloc with 14; Panata Island (Lankiam Cay) with eight; Escoda (Sabina) Shoal with six; Recto (Reed) Bank with four; and Parola Island (Northeast Cay) with one.
Meanwhile, there were no monitored Chinese vessels in Kota (Loaita) Island, Likas (West York) Island, Lawak (Nanshan) Island, and Patag (Flat) Island.
Relatedly, General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), downplayed the presence of CCG’s “monster ship” near Ayungin Shoal, calling it an innocent passage.
CCG vessel with bow number “5901” was monitored cruising near the BRP Sierra Madre, a PN warship grounded in Ayungin Shoal, last week.
“Lumapit siya sa Ayungin. Daanan naman po talaga ito (It came near Ayungin. This area is really a passage area),” Brawner said.
Although the AFP earlier admitted that it was monitoring the passage of CCG 5901, Brawner said the military “also respect the freedom of navigation and overflight” of other adjacent countries’ ships and aircraft.
“Iyon din ang gusto natin ipaabot sa kapitbahay sa rehiyon (This is the message that we want to our neighbors in the region). We have to maintain that freedom of navigation and overflight because around 60 percent of world trade passes through the South China Sea so kailangan malaya silang makadaan dito (so they must be able to pass through in this area),” the military chief said.
PN spokesperson for WPS Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad also deemed as freedom of navigation the presence of China’s PLA Navy aircraft carrier “Shandong” at approximately 200 miles fron Luzon.